I agree that he could be a potential bargain, but he's also the kind of player that's like one more decline away from being useless

Guest

12:28

My favorite fangraphs writer has long hair, is way into music, and is of western European descent.

august fagerstrom

12:28

Agreed. Eno is great.

BurleighGrimes

12:29

What is the most exciting trade that is going to happen between today and opening day?

august fagerstrom

12:29

the Javy Baez one

Bork

12:30

Are the Orioles in the worst possible position in regards to their starting pitching? They can't give up a draft pick, but the (decent) starting pitching left has a draft pick attached, and if they were to go after one of those, they really should of gone after one that would bring more value.

august fagerstrom

12:30

yeah, I really thought they'd have addressed the rotation through a more substantial trade, or a smaller deal for a guy like Happ or Fister without draft pick compensation

12:30

I probably like the Orioles outlook, as a whole, less than any other AL team

jtt

12:30

If they are going to sign Gallardo they may as well sign fowler afterwards

august fagerstrom

12:30

Wouldn

12:31

Wouldn't usually hate this line of thinking, but worth remembering that the only guy the White Sox got in the first 4 rounds last year was Fulmer

12:31

Tough to totally gut the front end of their draft back to back years

Merv Summers Dang It

12:31

How much better should Carrasco be than Cueto this year? Or...not?

august fagerstrom

12:31

would certainly count on him being better

12:32

Carrasco is just way more dominant than Cueto. A healthy Cueto is tough to beat by *much* though

Ross

12:32

Do you think we see more first half Cano this year or the second half monster version?

august fagerstrom

12:32

The first half Cano was the surprise

12:32

He's always been more like the second half one

TheOtherSoxFan

12:33

Given their division, what might be the White Sox's reasons for not taking a chance on Ian Desmond and, say, Austin Jackson or some other outfielder who is at least replacement level?

august fagerstrom

12:33

Well those guys are still out there and the White Sox could still sign them

12:33

I think Jackson makes a ton of sense, and I think there's a pretty good chance the Sox end up with at least one of Jackson/Fowler/Desmond and probably a pitcher, too

Raindog

12:34

The White Sox and Orioles have identical needs, don't they? Another SP and an OF. Is it taking forever because the teams just waiting for one of Fowler/Jackson/Gallardo/Latos to blink?

august fagerstrom

12:34

It's the qualifying offer. Both teams would rather *have* Fowler and Gallardo, but both teams would rather *sign* Jackson and Latos

Bron

12:34

Did you know there is a Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence? What score would you get?

august fagerstrom

12:34

i have never smoked a cigarette before so hopefully 0, if that's the best score

12:35

Though my mom smoked in the house growing up so maybe I would register on there somewhere

Russel

12:36

What are your expectations for Rob Kaminsky this year and beyond? After watching video of him I can't help but see a smaller Drew Pomeranz.

august fagerstrom

12:36

he's definitely more of a low-ceiling, high-floor type

12:36

The key is adding a third pitch beyond the curve. That was the main emphasis of development last year. He needs another weapon if he wants to be more than a back-end ground baller

cecilfielder

12:37

What city are you based out of?

august fagerstrom

12:37

Kent for now, downtown Cleveland very soon

Derek

12:37

Is Glasnow going to do what Syndergaard or Harvey did last year? Also I cannot recommend Jack White live enough...saw him back to back in Miami last year and I couldn't breathe because I was so happy.

august fagerstrom

12:38

you never want to expect a Syndergaard or a Harvey, but Glasnow's got as good an arm as any young pitcher who will likely make an impact this year, aside from probably Giolito

Ross

12:38

More likely to happen; Cano rebounds to previous MVP candidate form or Cruz repeats last years numbers?

august fagerstrom

12:38

Cano

Russel

12:39

Who do you see making the Tribe's opening day roster out of Robinson, Grossman, Choice, Almonte, Butler, Cowgill, Davis, Naquin, Ramsey, and Walters?

august fagerstrom

12:39

well Almonte is the starting center fielder

12:39

that one's a lock

12:39

I'd say opening day OF is Davis-Almonte-Chisenhall with Cowgill and probably Butler on the bench